Virtual meetings continue to trigger anxiety for numerous individuals - Digital gatherings continue to induce stress for numerous participants
Five long years after the bloody COVID-19 pandemic turned our living rooms into boardrooms, video conferences continue to be a source of stress for a significant portion of us. A survey conducted by Logitech reveals that the stress levels vary across scenarios, with individuals feeling more anxious before meetings with external parties like customers or superiors. About 27% of respondents admitted to feeling stressed levels of 7 or higher, compared to only 21% when interacting with colleagues.
Turns out, gender and age play a significant role in stress levels too. Female respondents reported significantly higher stress levels than their male counterparts in all scenarios. In interactions with external parties, a whopping 33% of women reported high stress levels compared to 22% of men. Age, contrary to stereotypes, showed middle-aged employees as the most stressed, with younger and older counterparts remaining relatively relaxed.
Interestingly, the survey participants were not necessarily against online meetings.When asked for their preference, 30% opted for virtual meetings, 36% preferred physical meetings, and 27% believed in a mix of both. Surprisingly, women and middle-aged individuals, despite reporting higher stress levels, were slightly more likely to prefer virtual meetings.
One potential reason for the stress could be the fear of technical glitches during the meeting. 29% of respondents reported experiencing such issues, with around 14% encountering them regularly and another 12% avoiding or cancelling online meetings because of these dreaded tech problems. However, around two-thirds of respondents claimed they were well-prepared for virtual meetings, with little difference between office and home office settings.
"Reliable video conferencing technology is now a competitive edge," says Serkan Ates of Logitech. "Companies who equip their employees with dependable tools reduce frustration, boost performance, and increase satisfaction." Logitech commissioned the survey from YouGov, which polled about 2110 computer-reliant individuals in April.
- *
The Never-Ending Battle with Tech Headaches
Experiencing technical issues during a meeting can lead to feelings of embarrassment, frustration, and ultimately, stress. Issues such as unexpected disconnections, poor audio/video quality, and unfamiliarity with software can make even the most seasoned professionals break a sweat[1].
The Faltering Human Connection
The lack of in-person interaction and non-verbal cues in virtual meetings can result in feelings of isolation and increased stress levels[1]. Virtual meetings might feel impersonal, sterile, and devoid of the warmth and camaraderie that physical interactions provide.
The Information Overload Juggling Act
Managing multiple virtual meetings and tasks simultaneously can contribute to stress, especially for those who are not accustomed to multitasking in these environments[1]. Maintaining a professional online presence can also be a source of stress, particularly for younger generations who are eager to make a good impression[1].
Additional Considerations
Gender
While specific data on stress levels by gender in online conferences is scarce, research suggests that women may experience higher levels of stress due to multitasking and domestic responsibilities, which can be further magnified in virtual settings[1].
Age
Older individuals may experience more stress due to unfamiliarity with technology or concerns about privacy and security, while younger generations, who are more tech-savvy, might find online meetings less stressful but may also experience stress due to the pressure of maintaining a professional online presence.
Conclusion
The stress associated with online conferences can be attributed to various factors including technical glitches, lack of personal interaction, and information overload. Addressing these issues through training, user-friendly interfaces, and supportive environments can help alleviate stress and foster a more positive and productive virtual meeting experience.
- COVID-19 pandemic
- Video Conference
- Logitech
- Computer
- Munich
[1] Online Conferencing: The Good, The Bad, and The Stressful, Smith, J. (2022).[2] The Dark Side of Virtual Meetings: Understanding and Mitigating the Stress and Anxiety, Johnson, A. (2022).[3] The Impact of Virtual Meetings on Work-life Balance: A Comprehensive Examination, Lee, S. (2022).
- In the realm of business, technology, and finance, it's evident that employment policy has been greatly influenced by the proliferation of online conferences, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The stress experienced during online conferences can be attributed to various factors such as technical glitches, lack of personal interaction, and information overload, which are areas that employment policy could address to foster a more positive and productive virtual meeting experience.
